Multiple switch with release mechanism



Oct. 9, 1956 Fig.

o. GREESON 2,766,334

MULTIPLE SWITCH WITH RELEASE MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 20o 9,6 WFL Olll I lll l 9\ /82 /lo se 250 rsa so 2 a4 4 "6 Fig/3 242 0 256 254 OrionS. Grasso/7 244V INVENTOR.

' 93 260- L BY gauw WWWMW Oct. 9, 1956 o. s. GREEsoN MULTIPLE SWITCHWITH RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Nov. 16, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 m, R m mw ML. w w. .mq |L|..I- www H Fw! w i .m r O ql w w 2 l .b w m 4. 7 L m. Mmi, F .sw L i. m, .mf M 4 14 n L Fm L 4 L 7 .8,9 /..4 m 2 9 2 8 8 I .l2m vl 2 V .,0 rw.. m

nited States Patent O MULTIPLE SWITCH WITH RELEASE MECHANISM Orion S.Greeson, Elizabeth, N. J. Application November 16, 1953, Serial No.392,267 Claims. (Cl. 200-5) This invention relates to a multiple switchwith release mechanism and particularly to an improvement on themultiple switch covered in Patent No. 2,587,143, granted February 26,1952, and Patent No. 2,587,144, granted February 26, 1952.

In the operation of sequentially operating multiple switches it isfrequently desirable to be able to release all of the switch mechanismsat some point during the sequence operation or to release any one switchunit of the sequence without disturbing the other switch units. Theconstruction according to the present invention provides a multiplesequential operating switch in which a driving mechanism causes aninitial operation which sets up a predetermined arrangement whereby asecond operation of driving mechanism performs a second switchingoperation and so on to a predetermined number of sequential operations.A throw-out arrangement is provided by which all of the sequentialoperating steps may be returned to the initial operating position and anindividual throw-out device is provided so that any unit of the switchmay be returned to its inoperative position.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an improvedmultiple sequence operating switch.

It is a further object of the invention to provide the multipleoperating switch with means for restoring the switch to its originalinactive position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a multiple sequenceswitch to which any unit of the switch may be returned to its inactiveposition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple operatingswitch in which any unit at any time may be returned to its inoperativeposition without disturbing the position of any other unit of theswitch.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational end view of a two-unit switch according tothe invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the two-unit switch shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional elevation through the switch takensubstantially on the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figurel;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view through the switch mechanism takensubstantially on the plane indicated by the section line 4 4 of Figure1;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view through the multiple switch takensubstantially on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure l;

Figure 6 is an enlarged elevational end View of a single switching unit;

Figure 7 is an enlarged plan View of a single switching unit accordingto the invention and shows one of the units in its normal or releasedposition;

Figures 8, 9 and 10 are plan views similar to Figure 7 showing a drivingmechanism of a unit of the switch in successive operating position;

2,766,334 Patented Oct. 9, 1956 Figure 11 is a plan view of the switchunit after being released by the common release mechanism with thepreceding unit in its released position;

Figure 12 is a plan view of the switch unit after being released by thecommon release mechanism with the preceding unit in its operatingposition;

Figure 13 is a plan View of the individual release mechanism with partsbroken away and in section;

Figure 14 is an isometric view of the driving head;

Figure 15 is an isometric view of the locking member; and

Figure 16 is a schematic wiring diagram of the switch and showing atypical circuit application.

For simplicity of illustration and description the switch is shown as atwo-unit device although it will be apparent that any number ofswitching units may be connected in successive arrangement and also forsimplicity of opera tion and description the switch units operated bythe switch for the Contact devices are shown as a simple change overswitch from one on to another off so that the operation changes onecircuit from on to off and the other from off to on.

In the exemplary multiple switch according to the drawing the device ismounted on a base 20 which is an oblong rectangular plate. In thefollowing description it will be assumed that the base 20 is mountedwith the short axis vertical and the long axis horizontal, but it is ofcourse to be understood that the base plate has no xed position and thatit may be mounted in any position that may be selected.

The device is illustrated as having a primary unit A and a secondaryunit B which have substantially identical driving mechanisms and mayhave any desired contactor arrangement that is selected. For simplicityof operation the first unit A is provided with a primary switch and asecondary switch actuating arm while the second unit B is provided withonly a secondary switch operating mechamsm.

Attached to the base 20 is a primary sub-base 22 which is anged toprovide a vertical post 24 and a laterally extending portion extendingon opposite sides of the base 20. The laterally extending portion of thepost 24 such as the portion 25 is adapted to secure a switch mountingmeans presently to be described.

The primary switch actuating arm 26 is hingedly mounted on the post 24by means of a suitable hinge 28. Mounted on the base 20 in sequence tothe sub-base 22 is a second sub-base 30 which is anged to provide avertical post 32 having laterally extending anges 33 and 35. A secondaryswitch actuating arm 34 is hingedly mounted on the post 32 by means of asuitable hinge 36.

The primary switch actuating arm 26 is operated by an electromagneticdevice generally indicated by the numeral 38 and both actuating arms 26and 34 are coupled or connected by a motion transmitting or latchingdevice Which is generally indicated at 40.

The initial position or rest position for the actuating arm 26 isdetermined by the device 38 and the push rod 42 described below, whilethe actuating arm 34 rests against a backstop 44 which is attached to ashelf 46 which projects outwardly from sub-base 30.

The post 24 carries an insulating block 4S on the outwardly extendingportion 2S. Mounted on the block 48 is a plurality of spring-likemembers 52, 54 and 56 which are adapted to make contact and which arecontrolled by means of a post 58 mounted on the actuating arm 26. Alsoinsulating blocks 50 and 51 hold similar contact springs and are mountedon the post 32. In the example shown, the contact springs are arrangedin triples comprising the back spring 52, middle spring 54 and the frontspring 56. The insulating rod 58 passes through an opening 59 in theback spring 52 and connects the avesa.

middle spring 54 to the actuating arm 26 so that when the actuating arm26 is moved to its operating position, middle spring 54 will breakcontact with the back spring 52 and make contact with the front spring56. Likewise the secondary contacts are provided with back spring 62` amiddle 64 and a front spring 66 with an insulating rod 68 passingthrough an opening 69 in the back spring 6?. and connecting the middlespring 64 with the actuating arm 34. Extending ends of the contactsprings 52, 54, 56, 62, 64 and 66 is provided with a terminal 60 for theconnection of suitable conductors thereto.

Magnetic operating mechanism 38 for actuating arm 26 consists of anelectromagnet 'l0 mounted on the subbase 22 and provided with a polepiece 72 carrying a movable armature 74. Terminals "76 and 78 mounted onan insulating block 8u are provided for connectingy an operating circuitto the coil of the magnet. The armature 74 when attracted by the core 82upon energizaticn of the coil of the electromagnet 70, pushes the rod 42outwardly and thereby moves the actuating arm 26 to operating position,thus opening contacts 52 and 54 and closing contacts S4 and 56 at thebeginning of sequence of operation as will presently be described.

The distinctive feature of the invention consists of the switching ratechanging, coupling or motion transmitting mechanism 40 arranged betweenthe actuating arms 26 and 34. As seen in the drawings, this mechanismcornprises essentially a driving head 84 carried by the actuating arm26, at the end removed from the hinge 28. A latching device indicatedgenerally at 86 is carried by the secondary actuating arm 34, and acounterholding or locking segment 90 is fixed to the shelf 46.

The latch device S6 includes a control arm 92 which is fixed to a sleeve94 Fig. 6, which is hingedly mounted on a pintle pin 96 which is mountedin a cradle member 98 attached to the secondary actuating arm The armcontrol 92 is arranged in a substantially horizontal plane and supportsat its end a guide pin 100. The latch device S6 also includes a drivingpawl 102 and a latching pawl '104. These are substantially rigid membersand one end of each is attached to a sleeve designated 106 and 108,respectively as shown in Figure l. The pawls 102 and 104 are hinged onthe pintle 96 through sleeves 1116 and 108. lins 110 and 112 projectinwardly at essentially right angles to pawls 102 and 104, respectively,at the point where they are pivoted on the pintle 96. Attached to theactuating arm 34 through a spacer 114 are two flat springs 116 and 113each with the free end tensioned against pins 110 and 112, respectively,so that they tend to urge the free end of the pawls 102 and 104inwardly. The pawl 162 engages the driving head 84, while the pawl 194engages the locking segment 50, thereby determining the angular positionof the pawls 1&2 and 1114 relative to the secondary actuating arm 34.

Attached to the driving pawl 102 at the pivoted end is a curved spring120. The free end of spring 20 is tensioned against a pin 122 whichprojects upward from the control arm 92. The spring 120 urges thecontrol arm 92 outwardly relative to the angular position of the pawl102. Attached to the driving pawl 102 and projecting downward through anelongated aperture 124 in the control arm 92 is a vertical pin 126. Theoutward movement of the arm 92 is limited by the vertical pin 126resting against the inner end of the elongated aperture 124 in the arm92.

The driving head 84 is shown more fully in Figure 14. rThe driving head84 is rigidly attached to the primary actuating arm 26 and travelsthrough the arc of a circle but the movement is so short (about fourdegrees) that it is substantially rectilinear.

The driving head 114 has a leg 130 rigidly attached thereto whichprojects at right angles to the primary actuating arm 26. The leg 1310is provided with a step 132 joining the two surfaces 133 and 1,35. Theend of the pawl 102 may be applied against the step 132 if the arm 92 isin a proper position to be described below.

The leg 134 projects at right angles to the leg 130 and the end isturned over to provide a projection 136 of rhomboidal cross section. Therhomboid is formed on one side by the inclined surface 138 and one theother side by the parallel surface 140, both surfaces being vertical.Between said inclined surfaces vertical surfaces 142 and 144 aredisposed which are parallel to the leg 3?. The rhomboidal projection 136cooperates with the vertical guiding pin on the horizontal arm 92.

The locking segment 90 is more adequately shown in Figure 15. There is ablock mounted on the shelf 46 by any suitable means. The block is cut inthe manner shown in Figure 15 to form a locking step 148. The step 148faces the secondary actuating arm 34 and joins the two surfaces 147 and149 which are both at right angles to the actuating arm 34 and serve asa guide for the pawl 104. The step 148 cooperates with the working endof the pawl 104. Obviously, the latch device may be locked in itsposition when the pawl 104 is engaged on the step 148 of lthe lockingsegment 90.

Unit B of the device is operated by means of driving head 84' which ismounted on the actuating arm 34 and is connected to the secondaryactuating arm of the unit B by means of a latching mechanismsubstantially identical to the latching mechanism presently described.The unit B is mounted on a sub-base 150 having an upstanding portion 152to which the secondary arm 162 is connected by means of a hinge 154.Mounted on the sub-base 150 is a shelf 156 substantially identical tothe shelf 46 in unit A.

Insulated mounting blocks 158 are mounted on the standing arm 152 tocarry a plurality of pairs of contact units as will presently bedescribed.

A common release mechanism embodied in the improved switch is verysimple and ecient as will be described hereinafter.

As shown in Figure l, a sub-base 17 6 is attached to the base 20. Abracket 178 projects outwardly from the subbase 176 as shown in Figure5. Another bracket 180 projects out from `the sub-base 22 as shown inFigure 3. The release bar 182 of a bail-like construction has its endsbent at right angles to the main body of the device so that itsbail-like member is pivoted on the outer end of the brackets 180 and 178by means of rivets 184 and 185 or the like. The end of the release bar182 that is pivoted on the bracket 178 is provided with an extension 186which extends upwardly from the pivot point 185. The other end of therelease bar 182 that is pivoted on the bracket 180 is provided With anextension 188 which extends inwardly from the pivot point 184. A ilatspring is attached to the bracket 180 and the free end of the spring 190rests against the underside of the extension 188 so that the spring 190acting against the extension 188 tends to urge the release bar 182inward.

The operating mechanism for the release bar 182 cemprises anelectromagnet 194 mounted on the sub-base 176 and provided with a polepiece 196 carrying a movable armature 198. Terminals 200 mounted on aninsulating block 202 are also provided for connecting an operatingcircuit to the coil of the magnet 194. The armature 198 when attractedby the core 204 upon energization of the electromagnet 194, swings thearmature extension rod 206 inwardly. The extension rod 206 acts againstthe release bar extension 186 and swings the release bar 182 outwardlyagainst the tension of the spring 190. When the electromagnet 194 isreleased, the spring 190 swings the release bar 182 inwardly. Therelease bar 182 may, of course, be actuated by manual or mechanicalmeans as well as the electromagnet described.

The tripping pin 126 in each of the actuating members extends under thepawl 104 so `that when the release bar 182 swings outwardly, it makesContact with the tripping pin 126 and pushes the pawls 102 and 104outwardly.

The horizontal arm 92 is also moved outwardly on account of its beingcoupled to the pawl 102 by the spring 120. This outward movement of thepawls 102 and 104 releases the secondary actuating arms that are intheir operated position by lifting the pawl 104 from behind the step 148in locking member 90.

The switching capabilities of this switch are greatly broadened by theindividual release mechanism which is a part of this invention. This isan optional mechanism and may be applied to any or all of the units ofthe switch or switch series either alone or in conjunction with thecommon release mechanism above described.

This individual release mechanism is shown in Figure 13 which shows aside view of the mechanism with certain parts cut away to show theconstruction.

Since all of the individual release mechanisms are identical a singlerelease mechanism will be described and it being understood that thesame may be applied to any or all of the switch units.

A base 240 is mounted on the shelf 46 and a solenoid 242 is attached tothe base 240. An iron plunger 244 lits loosely in the solenoid 242. Arelease blade 246 is attached to one end of the plunger 244 with theedge of the blade 246 facing the tripping pin 126. The blade 246 slidesin a slot 248 provided in the spool head 250 which is attached to thesolenoid 242. A compression spring 252 is provided for urging theplunger 244 to its retracted position and is mounted around Ithe plunger244 and between the base 240 and a flange or collar 254 on the plunger244. Terminals 256 and 257 are attached to the base 240 for applyingenergizing current to the winding 260 of the solenoid 242.

Figures 2 and 7 to 10 show the individual release mechanism in itsretracted or inoperative position. Figure 13 shows the blade moved intocontact with pin 126 to release the particular unit to which the bladeis connected.

A typical application of the switch unit is shown in Figure 16 with thecontact switch 220 for controlling the -solenoid 70 and a key 222 forcontrolling the individual release 242 and a key 224 for controlling theindividual release 242' and a key 226 for controlling the solenoid 194of the common release mechanism operation the release bar 182. As hereinbefore indicated the switch group 164 comprises a back switch contact52, a central switch contact 54 and a front contact 56 and the backcontact 52 is connected to the middle contact 232 of a secondary switchgroup 168 actuated by the secondary actuating arm 34. The front contact56 being connected to a central contact 64 of a switch group 166including a back contact 62, a middle contact 64 and a front contact 66.

The switch group 168 comprises a back contact 230, a central contact 232and a forward contact 234 with the central contact 232 being connectedto the back contact 52 of the group 164.

The secondary units are carried by the actuating member 162 and eachconstitute two groups of switching elements with the group 170 havingthe back contacts 270 and 272, middle contacts 274 and 276. Middlecontact 274 being connected to back contact 62 and middle contact 276being connected to the forward contact 66 of the group 166. Likewisegroup 170 is provided with forward contacts 278 and 280. Contacts 270and 272, 278 and 280 are connected, respectively, to the operatingdevices 282, 286, 284 and 288. The group 172 is comprised of backcontacts 290 and 292 and middle contacts 294 and 296, central contact294 being connected to the back contact 230 of the switch group 168 andthe middle contact 296 being connected to forward contact 234 of theswitch group 16S. Likewise the group 172 is provided with two forwardcontacts 298 and 300. Back contact 290 is connected to an operatingdevice 302 while the forward contact 298 is connected to an operatingdevice 304 while the back contact 292 is connected to an operatingdevice 306 and the forward contact 300 is connected to an operatingdevice 308.

In the operation of the device as shown at the start of the cycle theinoperative position is shown in Figures 2, 7 and 16 the devices will bedeenergized by the switches 220, 222, 224, 226, which will all be openand all of the solenoids will be deenergized when the contact 54energizes the back contact 52 which will energize contact 232 andthereby energize the contact 230 which will energize contact 294, 290and energize the device 302.

When the switch unit is in its normal or initial position, the positionof the various parts are best shown in Figures 2 and 7 of the drawings.Actuating arms 26,

- 34 are substantially parallel and are held in their position by theresilient contact springs 54 and 64, their position of rest beingdefined for the actuating arm 26 by the push rod 42 and for theactuating arm 34 by the backstop 44.

In this position of rest the pawl 102 rests against the step 132 of thedriving head 84 and is somewhat under tension imparted by the spring116. Also, the pawl 102' rests against the step 132' of the driving head84 and is also tensioned by the spring 116'. The pawl 104 rests on thesurface 149 of the locking segment 90 and is under a greater tension asindicated by the curved spring 118. Pawl 104 is likewise held on thelocking segment 90' and the pin on arm 92 rests back of the rearinclined surface of the rhomboidal projection 136 of the driving head 84and the secondary unit will be in the same position.

If the key 220 is closed the electromagnet 70 will now be energized, orif in any other way the push rod 42 transmits the first impulse, the rod42 is pushed forward toward the actuating arm 26, moving the latteraround the hinge 28. Therefore, the contacts 52, 54 are opened and thecontacts 54, 56 are closed and the driving head 84 is moved toward thesecondary actuating arm 34. With the pawl 102 resting against the step132 of the driving head 84 the movement of the latter will move thecradle member 98 attached to the actuating arm 34 and the arm 34therefore actuates its associated contacts. In the same manner the pawl102 resting against the step 132 of the driving head 84' will move theactuating arm 162 to actuate its associated contacts. During thismovement the pawl 104 is riding on the surface 149 of the lockingsegment 90 and the pawl 104 is likewise riding on the surface 149' ofthe locking segment 90. At the end of the forward stroke the pawls 104and 104 drop to the surfaces 147 and 147 and are caught behind the steps148 and 148 of the locking members 90 and 90. The springs 118 and 118',partially relaxed when urging the pawls 104 and 104 to the surfaces 147and 147 now lightly tension the pawls 104 and 104' which are in closeproximity to the vertical pins 126 and 126 which extend below arms 92and 92'. The position of the parts will therefore be that illustrated inFigure 8.

In this position the contact 54 is in engagement with contact 56 sothatcontact 64 is energized which will likewise energize contact 66 sothat contact 276 is energized and forward contact 280 energizes thedevice 288.

When the energization of the solenoid 70 ceases, push rod 42 and primaryactuating arm 26 return to their normal position and the contact spring54 associated with the arm 26 breaks contact with the contact spring 56and makes contact with the contact spring 52. In this position thecontact 54 engages back contact S2 to energize the contact which is thenin engagement with contact 234 which is then in contact with the contact296 to engage contact 300 and energizes the device 308.

When the driving head 84 moves back along with actuating arm 26 thesecondary actuating arm 34 does not move back as the pawl 104 has beencaught behind the step 148 of the locking member 90. Actuating arm 34therefore remains locked in its operated position. However, as thedriving head 84 moves back the relative position of the guide pin 100,the pawl 102 and the driving head 84 now changes.

When the driving head 84 is moved back, the guide pin 100 during suchbackwardly directed movement makes contact with the rear inclinedsurface 140 of the rhomboidal projection 136 of the driving head 84. Theinclined surface 140 acting against the guide pin 100 pushes the freeend of the arm 92 inward overcoming the tension spring 120 and causingthe inward end of the elongated slot 124 in the arm 92 to move away fromthe vertical pin 126 which, since it is attached to the pawl 102 whichis riding on the surface 135 of the moving driving head 84, remainssubstantially stationary. When the guide pin 100 passes the inclinedsurface 140 and the parallel surface 142 of the rhomboidal projection135, it is thrown outward by the tensioned spring 120 so thatv it restsin front of the inclined surface 138 of the rhomboidal projection 136without touching it. The inner end of the slot 124 in the arm 92 restsagainst the vertical pin 126 thus determining the position of the guidepin 100 relative to the rhomboidal projection 136 on the driving head84. The position of the parts as they are at the end of the firstbackward stroke of actuating arm 26 is shown in Figure 9.

It will be noted that while actuating arm 26 is now at rest, secondarylactuating arm 34 is in its operated position closing contacts 64, 66and opening contacts 62 and 64 and is locked in this positionindefinitely, until the next movement of the actuating arm 26.

The electromagnet 70 is again energized moving the armature 74 of thedevice, the push rod 42 is again moved forward moving Iactuating arm 26and 'opening contacts 52 and 54 and closing contacts 54 and 56associated with arm 26. This movement of the actuating arm 26 alsoentails a movement of the driving head S4 toward the cradle member 98,pawls 102 and 104 and the guide pin 100. The guide pin 100 now rides onthe front inclined surface 13S of the rhomboidal projection 136 upon themovement of the driving head 84 towards it and is moved outwardly. Afurther angular movement of the horizontal arm 92 is thus produced andthe tripping pin 126 contacts pawl 104 lifting it out of the step 148 inlocking segment 90. Likewise the pawl 102 is lifted and now slides andrests on the upper face 133 of step 132 of leg 139. The second impulsetherefore releases the secondary actuating arm 34 which is no longerheld by the locking member 90 and which therefore returns to its initialposition, separating contact springs 64 and 66 and closing contactsprings 62 and 64. This phase of the operation is shown in Figure whichillustrates the moment when the driving head 84 has reached its forwardposition while the actuating arm 34 has been released.

When the actuating arm 26 now moves back the second time, the pawl 102rides on the upper surface 133 until it comes to and falls into andbehind the step 132 where it rests. Paw] 104 rests on the upper surface149 of locking member 90. The position of the parts of unit A istherefore again that which corresponds to the position illustrated inFigures 2 and 7.

However, the pawl 104 still remains in the locking member 90' and theconnection is as follows: The contact 54 is in engagement with thecontact 52 which energizes contact 232 which is in engagement withcontact 230 which energizes contact 294 which is in engagement withcontact 298 so that device 304 is energized.

Reenergizing the solenoid 70 will again operate unit A but the unit Bwill be unlatched in the same manner as unit A was unlatched by thesecond operation of the driving head 84 so that the secondary unit willbe unlatched and return to its normal position while actuating arm 34will remain locked as arm 26 returns to its initial position.

It will thus be apparent that the arm 34 will operate at half of therate of the arm 26, and that the arm 162 will operate at half the rateofthe arm 34.

lf at any time during the operation it is desired to restore the entireequipment to its initial position the key 226 will be closed energizingthe electromagnet 194 which moves the common trip bar 182 to engage thetrip pins 126, 126 to remove the driving mechanism away from the stepsand 90 so that the tension of the spring contact members 54 and 64 willrestore the driving mechanism to its initial position. This position isillustrated in Figure ll where the armature is drawn down by the core204 to swing the bar 182 by the lever 186 to release all of thc drivingmechanisms by means of the tripping pins 126 and 126'.

Figure l2 shows the position of the parts when the secondary arms havebeen released while the driving head S4 is in its operated forwardposition when the release bar was swung into contact with the trippingpins 126 lifting the pawls 102 and 104.

The secondary arm then moves to its back position and the tripping pins126 ride on the edge of the release bar 132. When the release bar 182returns to its normal or inward position, pawl 102 will drop and rest onthe upper surface 133 of the leg 130 of the driving head 84 and pawl 104will drop and rest on the upper surface 149 of the locking block 90.

Another feature of the common release mechanism as covered by thisinvention is its ability to release certain units as predetermined bythe particular circuit application and not to affect other units. Thisis accomplished by merely shortening the vertical trip pin 126 or 126'so that the release bar 182 will not contact when it is moved to itsouter or operated position.

In the operation of the individual release mechanism the plungers 244and 244 are held in their back position by the lightly tensioned springs252 and 252 and the movement is limited by the shoulder on the blade246. When the solenoid 242 is energized, the plunger 244 is drawn intothe solenoid 242 and this drives the release blade 246 for contactingthe tripping pin 126 thereby lifting the pawls 102 and 104. Thesecondary arm 34 then moves to its back position and the pin 126 rideson the edge of the release blade 246. Figure 13 shows a plan view of theindividual release mechanism as operated in its forward position. Itwill thus be seen that the individual release mechanism releases anoperating unit in the same manner that one or more operated units arereleased by the common release mechanism. One function is to restore theswitch series to its normal position after the switching mission iscompleted without the switch units going through useless operationswhich would consume time and which would be disturbing to t'ne circuitof which the switch is part. Yet a function of equal importance, is toalter the pattern of the cycle of operation of the switch. As covered inthe foregoing, a cycle of functioning comprises a number of operationsthat are a power of two, that is 4, 8, 16, 32 and so on. The commonrelease mechanism enables the circuit arrangement to be provided so thatthe switch will go partly through a cycle, and then be released tonormal and run through the same or any other point in the cycle. Thepattern may be further altered by making the common mechanismineffective on certain predetermined units of the switch by altering thetripping pins 126. The pattern may be still further altered by employingthe individual release mechanism in any or all of the units of theswitch, either alone or in conjunction with the common releasemechanism.

When it is desired to restore the switch to its normal or releasedposition, key 226 is closed. This energizes the electromagnetic device194 which releases either the arm 34 or 162 or both and the switch willbe returned to normal, assuming that the arm 26 is in its normalposition.

If it is desired to switch from one appliance to another in irregularorder, key 224 or 222 is closed as required.

This operates the individual release mechanism associated with the firstor second unit of the switch as desired.

It will thus be seen that this switch, when equipped with common landindividual release mechanism, has almost unlimited switchingcapabilities.

For simplicity of description and showing the switch has been shown as asimple two unit device although it will be apparent that any desirednumber of units may be operated as desired.

It will further be apparent to those skilled in the art that manychanges and modifications of the arrangement and construction of partsthereof may be readily resorted to without departing from the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

l. A sequentially actuated multiple switch comprising a frame, a primaryand a secondary actuating arm hingedly mounted on said frame, a contactgroup operated by said primary actuating arm a plurality of contactgroups operated by said secondary actuating arm, a driving mechanisminterconnecting said primary and secondary actuating arms, said drivingmechanism including a driving head mounted on said primary actuatingarm, a locking member fixed on said frame, a driving pawl hinged-l lymounted on said secondary actuating arm, means yieldingly urging saiddriving pawl into contact with said driving head, a latching pawlhingedly mounted on said secondary actuating arm, means yieldinglyurging said latching pawl into contact with said locking member, acontrol arm hingedly mounted on said secondary actuating arm, said :armhaving a transverse elongated aperture therein, a tripping pin fixed onsaid driving pawl and extending through said aperture, an inclined guidesurface fixed on said driving head, a guide pin fixed on said controlarm for engagement with said guide surface, means mounted for movementinto and out of engagement with said trip pin to release said drivingmechamsm.

2. A sequentially actuated multiple switch comprising a frame, a primaryactuating arm hingedly mounted on said frame, magnetic means foroscillating said primary actuating arm, a plurality of secondaryactuating arms hingedly mounted in spaced relation on said frame, aplurality of contacts actuated by each of said actuating arms, motiontransmitting mechanism interposed between the successive actuating arms,each of said motion transmitting mechanisms including a driving headsecured on the `actuating arm, a hinge pin fixed in opposed position onthe next succeeding actuating arm, a locking member fixed on the framebetween said driving head and said hinge pin, said driving headincluding a pair of offset parallel bearing surfaces, said lockingmember including a pair of offset guide faces, a latch step between saidguide faces, a driving pawl mounted on said hinge pin, means yieldinglyurging said driving pawl against the bearing surfaces of said drivinghead, a latching pawl pivotally mounted on said hinge pin, meansyieldingly urging said latching pawl into contact with the guide facesof said locking member, a control arm pivotally mounted on said hingepin, a transverse aperture in said control arm, a trip pin ixed on saiddriving pawl and extending through said aperture and also extendingunder said latching pawl, a guide pin secured adjacent the free end ofsaid control arm, means yieldingly urging said aperture :against saidtrip pin, means including front and back inclined surfaces xed on saiddriving head for engagement with said guide pin, a release blade movablymounted on said frame for movement into and out of engagement with saidtrip pin to release the associated driving head.

3. A sequentially actuating multiple switch comprising a frame, aprimary actuating arm Ihingedly mounted on said frame, magnetic meansfor oscillating said primary actuating arm, a plurality of secondaryactuating arms hingedly mounted in spaced relation on said frame, a

10 plurality of contacts actuated by each of said actuating arms, motiontransmitting mechanism interposed between the successive actuating arms,each of said motion transmitting mechanisms including a ydriving headmounted on the actuating arm, a hinge means fixed in opposed position onthe next succeeding actuating arm, a locking member fixed on the framebetween said driving head and said hinge means, said driving headincluding a pair of offset parallel bearing surfaces, said lockingmember including a pair of offset guide faces, a latch step between saidguide faces, a ydriving pawl pivotally mounted on said hinge means,means yieldingly urging said driving pawl against the bearing surfacesof said driving head, a latching pawl pivotally mounted on said hingemeans, means yieldingly urging said latching pawl into contact with theguide faces of said locking member, a control arm pivotally mounted onsaid hinge means, tripping means on said driving pawl, said trippingmeans being operatively engageable with said control arm and saidlatching pawl, a guide pin secured adjacent the free end of said controlarm, means yieldingly urging the end of said aperture against said trippin, a rhomboidal projection fixed on said driving head for engagementwith said guide pin, a tripping bar pivoted on said frame adjacent tosaid motion transmitting mechanisms, magnetic means operable to swingsaid tripping bar into engagement with said tripping pins, an individualrelease device for each of said driving mechanisms including a blademounted on said frame for movement into and out of engagement with saidtrip pin, means yieldingly urging said blade out of engagement with saidtrip pin, means for moving said bla-de into engagement with said trippin.

4. A sequentially actuated multiple switch comprising a frame, a primaryactuating arm hingedly mounted on said frame, magnetic means foroscillating said primary actuating arm, a plurality of secondaryactuating arms hingedly mounted in spaced relation on said frame,multiple contact groups actuated by each of said actuating arms, motiontransmitting mechanism interposed between the successive actuating arms,each of said motion transmitting mechanisms including a driving headsecured on the actuating arm, hinge means secured in opposed position tosaid driving head on the next succeeding actuating arm, a lockingpmembermounted on the frame between said driving head and said next succeedingactuating arm, said driving head including a pair of offset parallelbearing surfaces, said locking member including a pair of offset guidefaces, a latch step between said guide faces, a driving pawl mounted onsaid hinge means, means yieldingly urging said driving pawl against thebearing surfaces of said driving head, a latching pawl mounted on saidhinge means, means yieldingly urging said latching pawl into contactwith the guide faces of said stop block, a control arm pivotally mountedon said hinge means, a transverse aperture in said control arm, a trippin fixed on said driving pawl and extending through said aperture andalso extending under said latching pawl, means yieldingly urging saidaperture against said trip pin, a guide pin secured adjacent the freeend of said control arm, front and back inclined surfaces fixed on saiddriving head for engagement with said guide pin, an individual releasedevice for each of said driving mechanisms including a blade mounted forreciprocating movement into and out of engagement with said trip pin,means yieldingly urging said blade out of engagement with said trip pin,magnetic means for driving said blade into engagement with said trippin.

5. A sequentially actuated multiple switch comprising a frame, a primaryactuating arm hingedly mounted on said frame, magnetic means operativelyconnected in oscillating relation with said primary actuating arm, aplurality of secondary actuating arms hingedly mounted in spacedrelation on said frame, multiple contact group actuated by each of saidactuating arms, motion transmitting mechanism interposed between thesuccessive actuating arms, each of said motion transmitting mechanismsincluding a driving head fixed on the actuating arm hinge means securedin opposed position on the next succeeding actuating arm, a lockingmember secured on the frame between said driving head and saidsucceeding actuating arm, said driving head including a pair of offsetparallel bearing surfaces, said locking member including a pair ofoffset guide faces, a latch step between said guide faces, a drivingpawl hingedly mounted on said hinge means, means yieldingly urging saiddriving pawl against the bearing surfaces of said driving head, alatching pawl hingedly mounted on said hinge means, means yieldinglyurging said latching pawl into contact with the guide faces of said stopblock, a control arm hingedly mounted on said hinge means, a transverseaperture in said control arm, a trip pin fixed on said driving pawl andextending through said aperture and also extending under said latchingpawl, a transverse guide pin secured adjacent the free end of saidcontrol arm, means yieldingly urging the end of said aperture againstsaid trip pin, a rhomboidal projection fixed on said driving head andincluding front and back inclined surfaces for engagement with saidguide pin, an individual release device for each of said drivingmechanisms including a blade mounted for reciprocating movement into andout of engagement with said trip pin, means yieldingly urging said bladeout of engagement with said trip pin, magnetic means for driving saidblade into engagement with said trip pin, an elongated tripping bar,upturned ends on said tripping bar, said ends being pivoted on saidframe, said bar being swingable into and out of engagement with saidtrip pins, means yieldingly urging said tripping bar out of contact withsaid trip pins, an operating lever on said tripping bar, magnetic meansoperably connected to said lever to propel said tripping bar intoengagement with said trip pins whereby all contacts are returned to anoriginal position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

